The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. IX, 1910

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

74979

Title

The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. IX, 1910

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents a collection of historical papers, obituaries, and addresses from the American-Irish Historical Society's 1910 annual meeting. It explores Irish contributions to American history, debates regarding immigration and Revolutionary War statistics, and profiles early pioneers like the Holliday family in Pennsylvania.

Summary up to 500 words

The Journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Volume IX (1910), serves as a scholarly record of the society's proceedings, emphasizing historical accuracy and the significant contributions of Irish ancestry to American development. The volume opens with spirited debates regarding Irish identity in the Revolutionary War, specifically correcting common myths about the proportion of Irishmen in the Continental Army. Speakers, including Dr. Sullivan and Mr. Griffin, rigorously critique unverified claims, such as Joseph Galloway's testimony suggesting fifty percent of the army was Irish, noting instead that verified figures from deserters indicate approximately forty-five percent. The society insists on basing historical records on solid evidence rather than popular belief. A substantial portion of the journal is dedicated to the history of Irish pioneers in Pennsylvania, focusing on Adam and William Holliday. Their narrative details the settlement near what became Hollidaysburg, their strategic decision to avoid swampy lands, and their fierce defense against land disputes with the shrewd Henry Gordon. During the Revolutionary War, the Hollidays played a crucial role in frontier defense, constructing forts like Fetter's Fort and Titus's stable, supplying provisions for militia, and organizing scouting parties against Indian raids. The text includes a poignant account of the family's tragic loss during an ambush in 1780. The volume also features Rev. Cornelius F. O'Leary's paper on the early history of St. Louis, highlighting the prominence of Irishmen in establishing local institutions such as hotels and newspapers. Additionally, the journal examines the evolution of Presbyterianism in New England, tracing its shift from strict intolerance to greater acceptance, while discussing the Celtic origins of the "Scotch-Irish." The text concludes with obituaries for notable figures like Rev. Daniel H. O'Dwyer and Rev. Michael Aloysius McManus, celebrating their dedication to the cause, alongside a list of illustrations honoring diverse Irish-American leaders and families.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/74979.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg74979.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-17 16:17 UTC

Categories

• Ethnology
• History